In Germany the per capita consumption of alcohol has tripled since World War II with a slight decrease in recent years.

The number of alcoholics has been estimated between 2.5 mill. and 10 mill.

Epidemiological studies suggest a 6-month prevalence rate of 3.1% (USA 2.9%) : 10.4% in males. 0.8% in females ; Life-time prevalence estimates range up to 13%. More recent findings also suggest that alcoholism in adolescents is an increasing problem.

The resources for treatment of alcoholism are limited : Only 1% of all alcoholics are treated in special addiction rehabilitation programmes, whereas the majority of patients are treated by their physician, in a general hospital or not at all.

Approximately 30,000 patients are treated in special clinical rehabilitation programmes per year.

Socioeconomic consequences of alcoholism have not been evaluated in detail ; some cast models are discussed.

In recent years both day-hospital and outpatient rehabilitation programmes for alcoholics have been established but few catamnestic studies have been conducted so far.

The possible benefit of new antidipsotropic agents (so - called anti-craving drugs) must also be examined in greater detail.

Catamnestic findings and the outcome of treatment studies are discussed.